In this episode of NCIS, called “Parental Guidance Suggested,” the team catches a case of a woman whose body is found by her little girl, while Tony finally admits to something he’s been holding onto for a year.

I had something I really, really wanted to say about this episode but every time I tried to type it out, I imagine the hatred I will get for saying it and it stopped me. Then I finally had to realize that I can’t let the opinions of others influence what I say in my own reviews so here goes…

Thank goodness the Ziva subject is (hopefully) closed once and for all.

Overall, I’ve been enjoying this season of NCIS, except of course for the immature Tony moments that always seem to be everywhere. This guy that just showed up out of the blue a few seasons into the show and suddenly replaced the competent agent that Tony had been before that – I wanted him gone.

Recently, Tony’s immaturity was showing up in the form of dating every woman in sight and not sticking with any of them for more than a week. When I saw that storyline pop up in this episode, I literally groaned and rolled my eyes. I was so tired of that shtick I wanted to puke, but hopefully we’ve seen the last of it now that Abby finally got to the bottom of what’s been bothering Tony. I have to admit, I never once thought that any of this could be Ziva-related.

It was a scene where Abby got to say the words I’ve been thinking since last season, that we all loved Ziva but she left and we had to move on. It’s been a year now and I think Tony has definitely mourned long enough. So I really hope this means that we can get the old Tony back now, the one that I remember from days gone by. I also hope he can settle down into a normal relationship now, too. Because as he said to the team, nearly everyone else has somebody at this point. I think Tony really deserves it after all this time and everything he’s been through. No matter what happens, I’m excited to see his future storlyines – more excited than I’ve been about Tony’s story in a while.

Beyond the Tony drama, there was the case that I won’t soon forget for a while. Usually the cases on this show are the parts that get my least amount of attention as I’m all about the characters. But wow, when that little girl suddenly turned into a monster in the interrogation room, I felt my skin crawl. That moment is going to live in my nightmares for a long time to come as there’s nothing worse than discovering someone so innocent could be so deadly.

My favorite bits:

“Halloween, 2007, I told Abby I didn’t want to carve a pumpkin.”
“He’s still waiting for the other one to descend.” – Don’t know why, but it took me a sec to realize what Tony meant. Youch.

Tony mentioning that Ducky had “something cooking” in terms of a date. Yay!

Tony jumping from woman to woman… again? Excuse me while I yawn.

Tony and McGee being able to name all the costumes that Bishop was thinking of. Yep, they pretty much got all the couple-costume greatest hits.

Really, really wanting to see Abby’s decorations at her apartment.

Not being able to help the giggle that left me when McGee tried to suggest his cover I.D. as a former sniper. Okay, check that, I laughed my head off.

Gibbs bringing Rachel hot chocolate and popcorn. I may have to try that combo one of these days.

Gibbs building a fort for Rachel. Too freaking cute.

“Do you keep your promises?”
“Always.”

Okay when I saw the pictures from this episode, I never thought it was Tony who was actually running the undercover yoga class.

“I reject your negativity, McGee.”

Tony’s new yoga pose, where one grabs their weapon.

Spider? Have I forgotten too much after 12 seasons or have we never heard that nickname for Tony?

About The Author

Michelle is a freelance writer, editor and blogger who is a self-proclaimed geek and fangirl. She has always loved tv, especially action driven dramas and sci-fi.
It all started when she was a little girl with shows like Tales From The Gold Monkey and the original Battlestar Galactica. She and her friends used to act out their favorite episodes using lawn furniture and stuffed animals as props.
These days she still loves action driven dramas and sci-fi, with a little bit of comedy and horror thrown in the mix as well.

Great story with an amazing twist. Kudos to the writers. The young actress playing Rachel, Millie Brown, has a long career ahead of her.
Keates was even better than Leia. Hope we get to see her again.

“Thank goodness the Ziva subject is (hopefully) closed once and for all.”
Hooray!! Totally agree!!!

Mel

Loved the episode! My favorite in awhile. I agree with every single thing you said. Love the way each character was written, and feel we have the close team and funny banter back. I liked Tony with Zoe, and hope she sticks around. And really hope this means that Tony will move forward, continue to grow, and eventually find happiness.

Phoenix Hocking

I taped it because I was gone last night. I’m not sure I want to watch it now. It sounds really, really creepy. God, I hate Hallowe’en.

Dido Twite

I think it does rather the opposite of closing the book on Ziva. First, it’s a blatant swipe at the actress. Beyond that, it only puts in stark relief how badly the show has handled her departure. This conversation should have happened ten months ago. Putting it on the show now is absurd and only highlights the strangeness of not mentioning her at all for a year. Considering how the actors have reacted in real life, it’s interesting that Abby is the one to smack Tony down.
Also, I found it more than a little weird that Abby was urging Tony to get over one brunette former partner so that he can date another brunette former partner (from his more distant past).

ptjackson

I finally figured out that the actress who played Rachel was the same one who played Madison on Intruders. She does creepy very well!!